North Kinsman

8.2 miles, Lonesome Lake, Fishin Jimmy to Kinsman Ridge trails,
approx 2550 elevation gain. Used the trailhead at Lafayette Place

Back in the saddle and feeling good about it. When you fall off the horse you gotta get right back on, so after a two week hiatus I was back at Lonesome Lake for round2. The hike itself wasn't strenuous at all, alot of great views and landmarks along the way made for a great solo quest in the fall.

The forecast was calling for rain all week, last minute on Friday Accuweather was saying partly sunny though, and that meant Erick was headed north Saturday morning. Nothing but thick fog the whole ride made me nervous, but once I got past Waterville Valley it was clear skies and good temps. Lafayette place was practically empty around 8am, and I was back at the lake by 9. Hard to believe everything here was green 2 weeks ago, Fall changes the color palette pretty quick. After a few great views at the lake I headed up Fishin Jimmy and didn't see anyone the entire time on the trail, meeting up with a trio of older folks at the trail junction near the Kinsman Pond campsite.

Solo day in woods is more valuable to me then I remembered, nobody but me and the trails makes for a good change from my cubicle at the office. Had the summit to myself for almost a full 1/2 hour, discovered a smaller cliff off the main outlook with awesome views of Kinsman pond, almost directly below the cliff I was standing on. Thought about tackling South Kinsman, even headed a ways south on the trail, but my left knee hasn't been agreeing with my adventures lately, and turning back turned out to be the right decision later on that day.

Encountered something like 60 boyscouts on the way down, several troops from southern Mass had made Kinsman their destination for a fall fieldtrip, and my solo mission turned into a pseudo babysitting trip on my descent. Too many indians and not enough chiefs, I found myself doing recon work for the scoutmasters, relaying group counts and positions for kids that had gotten away from them. Some of the adults looked like they were ready to pass out from exhaustion, gave me a smile and some satisfaction as their poor planning had interrupted my tranquil day in the mountains.

Awesome trip with awesome views, I'll be returning soon for Cannon and someday for South Kinsman, Lonesome Lake clearly one of my favorite destinations so far.

click em' to big em'

Lonesome Lake

"Failure refers to the state or condition of not meeting an intended objective, the opposite of success."

I've been tasting alot of fail lately, and it's not my favorite flavor. I've been getting close to peaks and not hiking them; depressing, frustrating, all that. On the Krypteia we had to skip Passaconaway and North Tripyramid, passing both within less then a mile. Today I hiked to Lonesome Lake, just south of Kinsman Ridge, home to 3 peaks not yet on my list. My list should be 15 not 10, going into a 2 week hiatus again with a vacation to see family in Rhode Island.

Can't blame myself. I know if I don't put em away while the weather is warm I'll go into next summer with a tall order ahead of me, even with a handfull of winter peaks. Had to turn in early today because someone in my party couldn't handle the exercise, hiking Cannon as your first real mountain isn't exactly the way to go, no animosity just disappointment. Ended up on the Dodge Cutoff to Lonesome Lake, great views of Franconia Ridge and was able to see the hut when we looped around.

Not a total waste of a day, did see a deer up close near the Lafayette place campground. Also was able to save an elderly couple from a parking trap. The lot gets crowded on summer weekends, usually overflowing with cars out onto 93, and a few jerks caged in these grandparents on all four sides. If we hadn't quit early they would've been stuck there all day, escape achieved when I moved my car out from behind them. (I should have keyed someone's door)

I've decided to ride solo for the month of October. If I'm a lone wolf on the trail I can bag a few at a time and not worry about looking behind me. Once I get home from RI I've got a solid stretch of foliage between me and Haloween, should be able to put a dent in this list. That 10 over there has hung around for too long...

The River Saco

Following up an epic camping trip like The Krypteia would be impossible. Best I can muster is a drunken canoe trip with some camping involved. Beach camping is the best camping if you ask me, and this week I'll be resting the knee and heading for Fryeburg, ME just east of North Conway.

The river is cursed. The Chief of the Sokokis tribe of indians cursed the river in the late 1600s, after white settlers drowned his son & pregnant wife in the river. The Saco will take 3 lives a year until all white men leave the area, and she is happy to oblige. I've barely managed to escape the curse myself, alcohol poisoning or drowning being the main problems I have to look out for, but some are not as lucky. This will be my 3rd trip this summer, probably my 30th overall, the trick being never get complacent or too comfortable. Respect the river and she'll respect you, as it is with most of nature.

Boat is on the car, we leave in the morning. It will be a good rest before I hit the trail again next weekend for 9/11. With my knee bothering me I'll be hiking every two weeks instead every weekend for a while, see if that doesn't help matters. Trying to get well so I ca make the most of fall foliage, after that I plan on easing into snow shoes and crampons, see how that goes...